CAL-ABOTA Hawaii Conference

Presentation

"The Butler Did It!” The Legal Battle over the Estate of Doris Duke
November 7, 2017

Don Howarth and Suzelle M. Smith will give a lecture on their experience handling what Hollywood called "the greatest will contest of all times." When the tobacco heiress Doris Duke, "the richest little girl in the world," died, her will left her $1.5 billion estate in the control of her butler. Mr. Howarth and Ms. Smith were hired to challenge the will and their representation resulted in the removal of the opposing trustees, the preliminary executor, and a major banking institution. Their work ultimately resulted in the appointment of the firm's client as a trustee of the Duke Estate.